However negligible the net effect may be, does increasing human population increase the mass of the Earth?

Question

Ignoring effects of added mass due meteorites or other extraterrestrial objects, does increasing human population increase the overall mass of the Earth? It would seem that it should not, given that humans and animals are comprised of Earthly stuff like water and minerals. If that's true, it would imply that increasing human and animal populations would require a commensurate reduction in the amount of plant mass on Earth, resulting in no net change to the Earth's mass.

True or not? Justify your answer!

Corollary: If increasing human and animal population requires an offsetting reduction of plant life, how long will it be before there is insufficient plant life to sustain animal life on Earth? Is there a "break even" point? Is it already here, and is resulting in the extinction of certain species, or would such extinction occur anyway?

Enjoy!

Answer 1

The mass remains constant - it's known as the law of the conservation of mass and applies within any closed system. Because you're referring to the earth as a whole this is the closed system in the conservation equation.

In effect - whatever changes we undergo by growing, reproducing, dying and decaying etc - the material has to come from somewhere and has to go somewhere. It can't be created or destroyed although it can change from one form to another (e.g. food components changing to bones).

Answer 2

i will comprehend why somebody might think of world warming may well be a delusion, whether it somewhat is in basic terms rather, yet in basic terms somebody incapable of doing basic math might have faith that overpopulation isn't plausible to our survival. permit's settle for data. the only reason the large non secular are actually not attracted to the two international warming or overpopulation is their concept that their gods are going to end the international interior their lifetimes. The Christians and the Muslims have their Armageddon and end time theologies so why could desire to they worry to do something approximately combating the degradation of the earth with the aid of fact of their irresponsibility? I do think of besides the shown fact that, that if God is as righteous as they think of he's, he won't seem kindly on heartless murderers, meaning that I actually have a sinking feeling there'll be rather some wailing and gnashing of tooth while rightwing Christians comprehend they don't seem to be being raptured in the previous the final conflict. keep in mind there are 3 theories bearing directly to that rapture, pre, submit and amellinialism and thank you to time constraints in basic terms one in all them can take place. as a approaches with the aid of fact the Muslims are in contact, i will enable them to verify the calamity which will befall them while their hidden prophet returns to paddle their bottoms.

Answer 3

I don't really know what you mean by the first question, but as for your second, if there is a break point, it wont happen for thousands of years. Contrary to what many people would have you believe, THE EARTH IS EMPTY. I wish I could stress that more.